Home Organization

Organizing Your Space to Maximize Relaxation

Cleaning Hacks to Keep Your Home Feeling Cozy

The holidays have come and gone, leaving behind fond memories, festive decorations, and, quite possibly, a bit of post-holiday clutter. If your home feels less like a sanctuary and more like a storage unit, you’re not alone.

The winter months are an ideal time to reset your space, rediscover a sense of calm, and create a cozy retreat from the cold. With a few strategic cleaning and organization tips, you can reclaim your space and maximize relaxation.

Decluttering After the Holidays

The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start, and the first step is decluttering. Holiday decorations, gift wrap, and seasonal items often leave our homes looking chaotic. Fortunately, with a simple three-step process, you can bring order back into your living space:

Sort and Categorize Holiday Décor: Gather all the decorations you’ve taken down and assess what you truly want to keep. Are there lights that no longer work or ornaments that you don’t love? Donate or discard items that no longer serve you and neatly store the rest in labeled bins or boxes for easy access next year.
Find a Home for New Items: Gift-giving is a wonderful tradition, but it can lead to overcrowding if you don’t take inventory of your existing belongings. For every new gift you received, consider letting go of an old item. This “one-in, one-out” rule helps avoid unnecessary clutter.
Set up a Donation Box: Winter is a great time to give back. Use this opportunity to declutter closets and drawers throughout your home, donating items like unused coats, scarves, or toys to local charities.

Organizing Seasonal Items

Once the decorations are packed away, you might wonder how to store them—and other seasonal items—without creating a headache for next year. Try these storage hacks for a seamless transition through the holidays:

Invest in Clear, Stackable Bins: Clear bins make it easy to see what’s inside without rummaging. Add a label to each bin with the contents to avoid confusion.
Use Vertical Storage: Maximize closet or attic space by using shelves, over-the-door organizers, or hanging racks.
Vacuum-Seal Out-of-Season Clothes: Save space by vacuum-sealing bulky winter clothing or linens when they’re not in use. This method also helps keep them fresh and dust-free.

Tips for Creating a More Peaceful Home

Once the clutter is gone, it’s time to set the stage for rest and relaxation. A cozy, inviting home is vital for combating the dreariness of winter. Consider the following:

Prioritize Comfort: Infuse your living space with soft textiles, like chunky knit throws, plush pillows, and warm rugs. Calming scents such as lavender or vanilla can also help set a serene mood.
Declutter Surfaces: A clean, uncluttered surface is visually calming. Choose carefully curated décor pieces for shelves, tabletops, and countertops.
Add Greenery: Houseplants or fresh flowers help improve air quality and bring life to your home, even during the stark winter months.
Tidy Touchups: Nothing disrupts peace like a grimy kitchen sink or dusty furniture. Regular touchups between deep cleans help keep your home feeling fresh and inviting.

Tackling Winter-Specific Cleaning Tasks

Winter presents unique cleaning challenges, from salty slush tracked inside to the buildup of dust and allergens from heating systems. Here’s how you can tackle them effectively:

Combat Salt and Mud Stains

Snowy boots can wreak havoc on your floors, leaving behind stubborn salt stains and mud. To prevent lasting damage:

Place rugs or boot trays at every entrance.
Wipe up moisture immediately to avoid watermarks.
Use a mixture of water and vinegar to remove salt stains on floors or carpet.

Eliminate Dust from Heating Systems

Forced-air heating systems circulate warm air, which can lead to increased amounts of dust and allergens. Reduce buildup with these tips:

Regularly dust and vacuum around vents.
Change air filters often to maintain clean airflow.
Use a microfiber cloth when wiping surfaces.

Keep Carpets Fresh in Snow Season

Carpets bear the brunt of winter’s damp and dirt, trapping moisture, mud, and bacteria. To keep them clean, you can:

Vacuum frequently to remove debris.
Blot spills quickly instead of scrubbing to prevent spreading dirt.
Schedule a professional cleaning service for the best results.

Simplify Your Winter Cleanup with Merry Maids

Winter cleaning can be a daunting task, especially when you’re juggling work, family, and post-holiday recovery. Luckily, Merry Maids® specializes in transforming homes into sanctuaries.

Contact your local Merry Maids today and take the first step toward creating a cozy, clutter-free haven. When your home feels calm and clean, it’s easier to relax—and that’s something we all deserve.